Local News

Fort Morgan city officials reach out to immigrants

Africans learn about local government

By Dan Barker

Times News Editor

Posted:
07/18/2014 06:12:14 PM MDT

African immigrants came to watch the Fort Morgan City Council Tuesday at the invitation of Mayor Terry McAlister. He said he wanted them to learn more about how local government works. (Dan Barker/ Fort Morgan Times)

Fort Morgan officials are reaching out to African immigrants who have moved to the city.

Fort Morgan Mayor Terry McAlister invited some African immigrants to Tuesday's Fort Morgan City Council meeting specifically so they could better understand how local government works, he said.

McAlister said the city should be reaching out to people to find out their needs, and help them approach local officials.

He noted that he saw the need for that kind of information and outreach during his last campaign for the office of mayor.

Fort Morgan City Manager Jeff Wells said he and McAlister accepted an invitation to attend a Ramadan feast at the African community center last Saturday.

"It was a really nice evening," Wells said.

They enjoyed a real feast, and were presented with a framed certificate thanking the city for welcoming the African community, he said.

This offered a chance to learn more about some of the immigrants who live in the city, Wells said.

Also, it gave the Africans a chance to talk about their needs and concerns, he said.

McAlister said to expect immigrants to attend the council meetings regularly in the future, too.

This way, if the African community has concerns or issues with the city, the council can address those, rather than waiting for a situation to escalate to a serious problem.

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